Pink Floyd Spectacular...Far Out!

Take the music of Pink Floyd and add to it a laser show and you have the “Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular,” the world’s longest touring laser show.

Now in its 30th year, the show uses large video screens, high-powered lasers and cutting-edge special effects to create a unique experience. The show is constantly updated and upgraded, so the audience never sees the same show twice. You’ll have the chance to see it for the first or 10th time at Stuart’s Lyric Theatre Jan. 12.

Steve Monistere is the founder and producer of the show. He didn’t start out as a Pink Floyd fan.

“I grew up as a professional musician and didn’t play progressive rock ’n’ roll,” he said. “It was not on my radar.

Someone came to me with the idea of putting lasers to Pink Floyd. We put a show together and it worked. Pink Floyd music is visual. You listen and imagine things in your head. It’s wide-open, expansive music that really works. I got to be a tremendous fan.”

Monistere said the show is suitable for all ages as there is no nudity or adult language. Some youngsters will be fascinated by it.

“We see daffy dads bringing in 11- and 12-year-old sons and the kid has a Led Zeppelin shirt. He was raised on rock ’n’ roll. Kids love the lasers. It’s a rock show. If your kid is predisposed to like rock, bring them. They’ll love the music. It’s about the music.”

Monistere said that the audience becomes part of the show.

“At most shows, 95 percent of the people aren’t just sitting and watching. Their bodies are moving, and people are singing and yelling out at certain parts of songs. Everyone gets laser glasses, which enhances it. It’s not 3-D, but any time you see one beam, it’s like a prism and turns it into six. It’s cool. It’s like a kaleidoscope. I’m a purist. I love seeing it without the glasses.”

While the show is about the music, it is multi-media.

“There are lots of moving lights, special effects and illusions using screens, set to the original music of Pink Floyd,” Monistere said. “It’s Pink Floyd doing Pink Floyd.”

Monistere said that there are changes each year.

“If you saw the show five years ago, it’s a completely different show,” he said. “There are some markets where we do it every year and they’re not tired of it. The music is high energy and the lights are amazing. I’ve been at it 30 years and I’m surprised I’m enjoying it. It’s like a good steak. You could eat it pretty often.”
Monistere said that while they have performed in larger venues, the 500-seat Lyric is a great size.

“As long as the stage is big enough, which it is at the Lyric, the intimacy of the audience so close is just great,” he said. “It’s like a 2,000-seat theater with everyone up front.”

For those who aren’t really sure what to expect, Monistere has one suggestion.

“For a lot of people, their curiosity is piqued,” he said. “They can’t wrap their heads around it. There’s no live band and they’re watching a multi-media show. You’ve got to see the show. It’s as if you sat in the living room and put on Pink Floyd and turned the stereo way up. In the theater, you’re hearing things you never heard before and seeing things you’ve never seen. Come check it out.”